Symposium 2011: Should English be made the official language of the United States?

Sydney:I thought English was the official language of the United States. I think it would make sense because it is the main language spoken here, even if so many other languages are spoken as well. I think it would encourage immigrants to learn English which would make it easier for them to integrate into the wider community.

A lot of people seem to think that making anything a rule is automatically an attack on their rights. I don’t think a lot of people would be affected in a negative way if it was made the official language.

Michigan: Should this really be an issue?

RMC: English should absolutely be made the official language of the United States and we should not spend one dime of taxpayer money to have bilingual ballots or government documents. It’s real simple…when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I recall a few years back that the liberal elitist media made fun of West Virginia for passing legislation that made English the official language. Who’s laughing now? Looks like they were a bit ahead of their time, and I commend them for taking that step. Why should Americans be forced to spend their hard earned tax dollars to accommodate foreigners, those who are here both legally and illegally, with documents in their language. Learn English! It’s not incumbent on us to provide for them.

Cartwright: Yes. If you come here, best plan on speaking English. I don’t feel that we Americans should have to accommodate everyone else who comes here and doesn’t speak English. If you can’t speak our language, either get a personal interpreter or go back where you came from.

John Adams

"Be not intimidated, therefore, by any terrors, from publishing with the utmost freedom whatever can be warranted by the laws of your country, nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberty by any pretenses of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery, and cowardice."